Elementary School Students: Simple One-Day Science Project and Craft Ideas

Colorful Koropika Mud Dumpling

We had fun making colorful mud dumplings (dorodango) :)

Mud dumplings are something everyone got hooked on as a kid.

You’d gather the best-looking sand, try to make them as round and shiny as possible, and keep polishing even when it was time to go home—great memories, right? Since they’re made from soil and sand, they don’t naturally turn colorful, but with the kit introduced here, you can make bright red, blue, and yellow mud dumplings.

The tools are different, but the making process is the same as regular mud dumplings, so parents and kids can enjoy it together while reminiscing about childhood.

As long as you have the kit, you can work on top of newspaper indoors, so even children worried about heatstroke or virus infections can have fun!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Cooler made with 100-yen shop items

DIY with Daiso products! Make a homemade cooler! Perfect for camping or a summer vacation craft project. #craft #DIY #Daiso

Air conditioners make rooms nice and cool, but installing one is expensive and maintaining it—like cleaning—can be a hassle.

So this time, we’re introducing a portable DIY cooler! Cut a hole in the lid of a cooler box and attach a small fan.

After creating an air outlet on the side of the cooler, add dividers inside to keep ice packs standing upright.

Attach a box on the outside of the cooler to hold a battery, and you’re done.

If you use a mobile battery, it’ll be a great item for camping and other outdoor activities, too.

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sasashina

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Kaleidoscope in an ice cup

[Elementary School Summer Crafts / Independent Research] 🌻 Kaleidoscope with Ice Cream Cups

A kaleidoscope where you can enjoy geometric, mysterious pattern changes.

Let’s make such a kaleidoscope using an ice cream cup.

First, use nail polish remover to erase the letters and designs from two ice cream cup lids.

Next, cut aluminum foil to your preferred length, fold it three times to make a long, narrow rectangle, then cut it into shorter pieces, roll each into a tube, and secure with tape.

Make many small tubes and pack them tightly into the ice cream cup without gaps.

Then put on a lid and sprinkle beads or pieces of translucent origami paper cut into small shapes on top.

Finally, place the other lid on top and tape it in place to finish.

Point it toward the sunlight and spin it around to play.

I tried making a Super Ball.

[Free Craft] Recommended for Elementary School Kids!! A Metallic Super Ball You’ll Want to Make for Your Independent Research Project!!

Super balls are attractive for their colorful appearance and exceptional bounciness.

Because they absorb impact and rebound strongly, many of you probably remember bouncing them high when you were kids.

How about making your own super ball by hand? This time, we’ll use a store-bought kit, so there’s no need to gather materials individually—you can easily make one by following the included instructions.

Since the process involves using hot water and fine metallic powder, be sure to work together with an adult.

Create a one-of-a-kind original ball and have fun playing with it over summer vacation!

A truly usable cooler made from cardboard

[Experiment] I tried making a truly usable cooler out of cardboard!

Here’s a DIY cooler idea using cardboard, plastic bottles, a battery pack, and a motor.

First, cut three circular holes in the side of the cardboard box, each the same size as the bottom of a plastic bottle.

Insert and secure plastic bottles cut to one-third length into the holes, using the bottle neck ends.

On the inside of the cardboard, attach a propeller to the side opposite the bottles, and make small holes on both sides.

Mount the motor’s switch on the lid, place ice packs inside, and close the box to finish.

Decorate as you like with vinyl tape or similar materials.

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sasashina

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The relationship between bread and sugar

Summer Vacation Independent Research: The Relationship Between Bread and Sugar — Elementary to Middle School, Science/Home Economics

Let’s explore how different amounts of sugar change bread by conducting a free research project on the relationship between bread and sugar.

Prepare several bowls, each containing the same amounts of cake flour, dry yeast, salt, butter, and water.

Vary only the amount of sugar in each bowl, then knead the doughs.

Carefully observe how the dough feels while kneading: what texture appears in doughs with more sugar, and what texture appears in doughs with less sugar? It might be helpful to record each stage—first proof, second proof, and baking—with photos to see how the dough responds at each point.

Enjoy this hands-on research project using everyday bread!

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mayumi

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Let’s make rock candy

[Independent Research] Why Does Rock Candy Form? ~With Summary~ [Experiment Time]

Let’s try making sparkling, magic-like rock candy for a science project.

Prepare granulated sugar, water, sticks, wooden chopsticks, glass cups, liquid food coloring, and a pot.

Put the granulated sugar and water into the pot and simmer until it boils.

Wet the tip of the stick with sugar water and coat it with granulated sugar.

Pour sugar water and your favorite color of liquid food coloring into a glass cup, then sandwich the stick between a pair of chopsticks and set it so the stick doesn’t touch the bottom of the glass.

Cover with plastic wrap and leave it for 3 days to 1 week while observing.

Take photos and keep records to track any changes you see.

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mayumi

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